Matchsafe and Cigar Cutter
ca. 1895
Classification
containers
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Stephen W. Brener and Carol B. Brener
Accession Number
1978-146-121
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the late 19th century this intriguing *Matchsafe and Cigar Cutter*, crafted 1895. This compact, multifunctional container from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection served a practical purpose in an era when smoking cigars was a hallmark of social sophistication, particularly among American men during the Gilded Age. Matchsaf like this protected fragile strike-anywhere matches from moisture, while the integrated cutter neatly trimmed cigar ends—essential tools for the gentleman smoker before disposable lighters became commonplace. Classified as a "container," this anonymou...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...